Call for sportspeople to be protected from brain injury

Academics from the University of Birmingham are campaigning for more to be done to protect the brains of footballers and other athletes who suffer blows to the head.

The campaign is being supported by the daughter of former West Bromwich Albion player Jeff Astle, who died from brain trauma caused by heading heavy footballs.

Dr Michael Grey, from the University's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, said further education and awareness about the potential risks of concussion was a major issue.

Dr Grey and his colleague Prof Toni Belli are running a study to investigate the brains of sportspeople in the aftermath of a concussion - they are trying to develop a better test to aid the return to play decision.

Their call is being supported by Dawn Astle and Peter Robinson. Dawn Astle is the daughter of former West Bromwich Albion player Jeff Astle who, an inquest found, died from a brain trauma caused by heading heavy footballs - a condition known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTW).

Peter Robinson is the father of Ben Robinson whose son died as a result of repeated concussions during a rugby match.